Salvation by Faith

Introduction: 
All the blessings we receive from God are purely acts of His grace—His free and undeserved kindness. Humanity has no claim to any of God's mercies. It was by grace that God created man, breathing life into him and placing him in charge of creation. Today, every breath we take and every good thing we have is a result of this grace. We have done nothing to earn these blessings, for even our good works are possible only through God's work within us. 

What Can We Do About Our Sin? 
How can a sinful person make up for even the smallest of their sins? By doing good works? No, because even our best efforts are imperfect and tainted. In fact, our actions, tainted by sin, need forgiveness themselves. Our hearts are fundamentally corrupt, far from the glory God originally placed in us. Because of this, we have no grounds to justify ourselves before God. 

God's Grace Through Salvation 
If a sinful person finds favor with God, it is truly an undeserved gift, one that deserves our deepest gratitude. This is the essence of the Gospel: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. This salvation is entirely a work of God's grace, and it comes to us through faith. Grace is the source, and faith is the means by which we receive it. With that in mind, we must examine three important questions:

I. What Kind of Faith Saves Us?

It’s Not Just General Belief:
A person who has never heard of Christ might still believe in a higher power and live a moral life. This is admirable, but it's not the faith that leads to salvation.
It’s Not Just Intellectual Belief (Like the Devil's Faith):
The devil himself believes in God and knows that Jesus is the Son of God, but that belief does not lead him to salvation. Simply knowing about God or even acknowledging Jesus is not enough.
It’s More Than What the Apostles Believed Before Jesus' Death:
Even the disciples, who followed Jesus and performed miracles, did not yet fully grasp the significance of His death and resurrection until after He rose again.
The Faith That Saves:
The faith that saves us is a deep trust in Christ—trusting not only in His teachings but in His sacrifice for our sins. It’s not just an intellectual belief, but a transformation of the heart. This faith is a complete reliance on Christ's life, death, and resurrection as the only way to be made right with God.

II. What Does Salvation Through Faith Mean?Salvation is Immediate:
Salvation is not just something we wait for after death. Those who have faith are saved now. The Apostle Paul tells the believers in Ephesus that they are already saved through their faith.

Salvation Means Freedom from Sin:
Jesus came to save us from our sins—this includes both the guilt of our past sins and the power sin has over us. When we put our faith in Christ, we are justified—made right with God—and freed from the condemnation our sins deserve.
Salvation Brings Freedom from Fear:

Those who are saved no longer live in fear of punishment from God. Instead, they know God as a loving Father. Their hearts are filled with peace, knowing that nothing can separate them from the love of God.

Salvation Breaks Sin's Power:
True faith changes us so that sin no longer rules over us. This doesn’t mean believers will never struggle, but sin no longer has dominion in their lives. Those who are born of God are empowered to resist sin and grow in holiness.

III. Common ObjectionsDoes Preaching "Faith Alone" Encourage Laziness?
Some argue that preaching salvation by faith alone encourages people to neglect good works. However, the faith we speak of is not an empty belief. True faith produces good works and a holy life. It doesn’t undermine the importance of obedience but enables it.

Does Preaching Faith Alone Lead to Pride?
The opposite is true. Faith excludes pride because it acknowledges that we cannot save ourselves. It reminds us that our salvation is a gift from God, not something we earned by our own efforts. Paul himself warned against pride, saying, “If you stand by faith, do not be arrogant, but fear.”

Does It Lead to Despair?
It’s true that hearing we cannot be saved by our own works can cause some to feel despair. But that’s exactly the point—it’s only when we stop trusting in our own goodness that we can fully trust in Christ’s righteousness. This is actually the most comforting message, especially for those who feel they can never measure up.

Isn't It an Uncomfortable Doctrine?
Far from it! This teaching offers immense comfort to those who feel unworthy or hopeless. Christ’s mercy is available to all who believe, no matter how great their sins. It offers hope to anyone, from the most notorious sinner to the most broken-hearted person, that through faith, their sins can be forgiven.

Conclusion: 
Preaching Salvation by Faith 
Some argue that salvation by faith alone should not be preached to everyone, or at least not as the first message. But the Bible is clear: Jesus Christ is the foundation of all preaching, and faith in Him must be proclaimed to all people—whether rich or poor, young or old, learned or unlearned. Christ came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. In today's world, this message is more necessary than ever. It’s the only doctrine powerful enough to counter both false teachings and the rising tide of immorality. Only the message of salvation through faith in Christ can change hearts, remove sin, and restore people to a right relationship with God. Let us therefore hold fast to this truth: that by grace we are saved, through faith, and that this is the gift of God. Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.